Google’s Gemini Space Could Finally Bring Rich Live Updates to Pixel Phones
When Apple introduced Live Activities with iOS 16 , it gave iPhone users a fresh and dynamic way to follow real-time events — from sports scores to food delivery tracking — directly on the lock screen . It was a small but meaningful change that reduced the need to open apps just for quick updates.
Nearly two years later, Samsung followed suit with its own version: the Now Bar , a pill-shaped widget introduced in One UI 7.0 . Like Live Activities, the Now Bar gives users glanceable information without diving into an app. Both features have proven useful, offering a modern solution to a common mobile need.
🔍 How Popular Are These Features?
While Apple hasn’t released official usage stats, third-party estimates offer some insight. In 2023, Business of Apps reported that around 41% of iPhone users had tried Live Activities , with 62% rating their experience as either “Good” or “Exceptional.”
Despite these positive numbers, developers have faced challenges, particularly due to the 4KB data limit for each update , which restricts what can be shown. Still, the feature remains widely appreciated by users who value convenience and minimal interruptions.
🚀 Google May Be Catching Up with “Gemini Space”
It looks like Google is finally working on a serious alternative — possibly arriving first on the upcoming Pixel 10 , and then rolling out to older models. Recent findings suggest this new feature could be called Gemini Space , though it may also be tied to existing parts of the system under different names.
Evidence surfaced during a code teardown by Android Authority , revealing a system file labeled “Ambient Data” embedded in firmware for both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro . This suggests that current Pixel owners might not be left behind when the feature officially launches.
The term “Ambient Data” itself hints at contextual, always-on information appearing on the phone’s always-on display (AOD) — much like what Live Activities and Now Bar offer.
🔍 What We Know About Gemini Space
Further investigation into the Android System Intelligence app — the engine behind the current At a Glance widget — uncovered more direct references. Code strings clearly link Gemini Space to enhanced capabilities in At a Glance , including live updates for:
- Sports scores
- Finance recaps
These features have been rumored for some time, suggesting that Google has been quietly building something bigger than just a minor tweak.
Also mentioned in the code is a new concept called the “Ambience Hub,” which appears to function as a full-screen summary of ongoing activities — similar to how Samsung’s Now Brief complements the Now Bar .
🆕 A Refreshed Take on At a Glance
You could argue that At a Glance already does some of this , but its current implementation feels outdated compared to what competitors offer. Last year, Google even tested a redesign that moved the widget to the bottom of the lock screen , making it look more like Apple’s and Samsung’s versions.
If these reports are accurate, Gemini Space could represent a rebrand and expansion of At a Glance , bringing richer, more interactive, and glanceable updates to Pixel phones — something Android users have been waiting for.
While nothing is confirmed yet, the growing number of code references makes it clear: Google is likely preparing something new for the lock screen experience . Whether it’s called Gemini Space, Ambient Data, or simply an improved At a Glance, one thing is certain — Pixel users may soon get the kind of real-time, glanceable updates that iPhone and Galaxy users have enjoyed for years.
